I crossed the atlantic twice on “Carina” which was launched in the spring of 1969. A year which was famous for Woodstock and the Moon walk. We huddled around the radio at sea to listen to the Moonwalk broadcast. We races the Fastnet and the US team won the Admiral’s Cup that year; finishing second in 1971.
Category: rorc
TRANSATLANTIC 1975
Working backwards. Before the 2003 race my previous race was in 1975. Newport to Cowes, IOW. A Swan 48 named “Weald”. A fine sailing boat. We broke the headstay just off Nantucket in about 40 knots; the beginning of a strong low. We put into Marblehead and got a new headstay; restarted and managed to pass several boats.
MY LIFE IN BOATS
I assembled this a few years ago because even I forget some of the boats and events I sailed. Still fond memories; and still making more.
WEALD II TRANSATLANTIC RACE 1975
THE TRANSATLANTIC RACE OF 1975 STARTED IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND FINISHING IN COWES IOW. WEALD WAS A SWAN 48 DESIGNED BY S&S. A BOAT IN MY OPINION THAT WAS FASTER THAN “CARINA” IN THAT ERA.
THIS WAS ONE OF 9 TRANSATLANTIC RACES I HAVE COMPETED IN. EACH WITH IT’S OWN SPECIAL MEMORIES. ADDITIONALLY AN EXCEPTIONAL PRIVILEGE TO COMMUNE WITH NATURE IN A WAY PERMITTED TO ONLY A FEW.
CARINA, THE EARLY YEARS
A story behind every photo. In fact so many stories
RORC PARIS DINNER
A dinner of RORC members in France held at the Yacht Club De France. Michael Boyd presided as his first official function since being elected Commodore of the RORC.
Always my favorite club; I was delighted to have the opportunity to be among other members. As many of you know, the RORC and the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes have merged. I was interested to hear more about the future of the club.
I look forward to the Fastnet race this summer after the Transatlantic race which will start in Newport in June.
SAILING THROUGH LIFE
This is in response to those who asked:”Who are you?” It is a least a dimension.Boats have always been a part of my life. Naturally interwoven with the story of Newport.
ADMIRAL’S CUP
I sailed four admiral’s cups, which in those days included the channel race and the fastnet race. Those memories remain some if the highlights of my sailing.
COWES WEEK FASTNET RACE 2009
The Fastnet Race which starts today,is probably my favorite race, a tactical race, never really offshore. Cowes week is always fun, a far cry from my early days.
I must say I would like to be there.
Admiral’s cup 1969
1969 was my first Admiral’s Cup and first Fastnet Race. The Admiral’s Cup team: Carina, Palawan, and Red Rooster. The Dick Carter designed Red Rooster was chosen for the team before she hit the water. It proved to be a good choice.
This is also the first time I met Syd Fisher owner of a long line of boats called “Ragamuffin”
this one being a 49 foot S&S design. As Carina was approximately the same size we were tasked with covering Ragamuffin. I had never encountered a boat as well sailed as Ragamuffin.
Racing was under the RORC rule, used in almost every country except the United States, where we sailed under the CCA rule. 1969 was the year that the IOR rule would replace both older rules. “Carina” had been launched in the spring of 1969 and the IOR was not yet published. McCurdy and Rhodes had been tasked to design a boat that would rate fairly under any rule. (Many of you may be familiar with “Carina” as she is still winning race today 40 years later.)
The United States team scored well enough to win the Cup. the photo shows Max Atkin and Dick Nye holding the cup. The black and white photo is at the prize awarding in Plymouth at the finish of the Fastnet Race,if you look closely you will notice Ted Turner, Dick Cater, Alan Paul Hope Kirkpatrick in the picture.
The Fastnet race became one of my favorite races; although I have only completed 5 .
